TUC calls for reflection before Article 50 triggered

Two-thirds (66%) of voters want a cross-party team of politicians, employers and trade unions to negotiate Brexit, according to new polling published by the TUC last Wednesday.

The poll – of 2,716 adults – found that both Remain (69%) and Leave (65%) overwhelmingly believe that politicians (from across the House), business people and unions should all play a key role in talks. 

Only one in ten (10%) voters favour the government acting unilaterally. However, the majority (52%) of respondents think Nigel Farage should have no role in Brexit negotiations, with fewer than one in three (32%) supporting his attendance.

Other key findings from the poll include: 

• Brexit was a verdict on elites as much as the EU. More than two-thirds of Leave voters (71%) said politicians, business leaders and other members of the ‘establishment’ had “let most ordinary people down”.  Among Remain voters this number drops to 54%.

• Although immigration was important, the vote was not all about immigration. A quarter of Leave voters (28%) did not regard immigration as one of their three most important reasons for voting to leave. Overall, just 43% of voters said immigration was one of the most important considerations in deciding their vote.

• Concern about immigration has fallen since 2013. The proportion of people who think “it is essential for the immigration system to reduce the number of migrants coming to Britain” is down from 73% to 62%.

• The EU referendum campaign increased support for free movement. In March, voters were against free movement by a margin of 8 points; in June they were in favour by 8 points.

These findings show us that people chose how to vote at the referendum for a range of reasons. It was not a straightforward call for immediate exit from the EU without a plan.

The TUC is clear that we need to reflect before Article 50 is triggered. The British people are clear. Leaving the EU must be done carefully, and with the involvement of people from across British society – unions and businesses as well as politicians from all parties.

Our new Prime Minister has said she will change corporate governance to crack down on excessive executive pay, put workers on company boards and tighten up rules to block predatory takeovers. And she has said we need a more active industrial policy to protect British industry. These are things that the TUC has long campaigned for, so if they are implemented – and the implementation is done well – it could be good for the North East. These measures could help ensure companies in our regional industries are focussed on long term, sustainable growth and have fairer wage policies.

But the North East’s prospects also depend a great deal on her handling of Brexit. The TUC has published a plan of action for the steps the government needs to take to prevent the Brexit vote becoming an economic calamity. As a priority Theresa May should be making plans to step up public investment across the UK immediately; we need public investment in the North East to improve our infrastructure, keep the economy growing, and ensure private investors see a strong future here.

We need a proper plan for life outside the EU. If we rush, lasting damage will be done to our economy and to the livelihoods of working people.

Beth Farhat

Regional Secretary Northern TUC